Sibir got back into the Eastern Conference final series with a home win over Ak Bars, bringing the scores back to 2-1 and maintaining its own impressive post-season record in Novosibirsk. Victory on the night by the odd goal in three continues this series’ sequence of low-scoring, hard-fought games and promises plenty more hockey to come to determine who will represent the East in this[...]]]>

Estonian Air accuses Latvian national airBaltic airline of unfair competition, as reported by Postimees.

As noted by Jans Palmers, head of Estonian Air, it is unfair for airBaltic to open the same destinations serviced by Estonian Air.

«I cannot understand why European institutions allow it. Everyone knows airBaltic receives assistance from the Latvian state. They use this money to compete with us, but we’re not allowed such things,» – adds Palmers.

Postimees notes that both Estonian Air and airBaltic offer flights to[...]]]>

Dynamo Moscow has unveiled a new preseason tournament, named in honor of the club’s playing and coaching legend, Arkady Chernyshev. The inaugural tournament will run from the 6th to the 9th of August at Moscow’s new ice palace, the Legends Arena, which from next season will serve as Dynamo’s home stadium.

This new competition will be contested by KHL teams and marks an upgrading of the existing[...]]]>
Activists decry Russians' increasing sympathy for StalinTue, 31 Mar 2015 16:10:19 +0300Politicshttp://unity.lv/en/news/1310299/
http://unity.lv/en/news/1310299/

From April 1st to September 30th, all drivers entering administrative territory of Jurmala city will have to pay a fee of EUR 2. Electric cars, on the other hand, are allowed to enter the resort city free of charge.

As it is known, no entry fee is required to be paid when driving to Jurmala during the autumn and winter period.

Permit procurement points also have traditional terminals for paying fees. There are a total of 15 of them. Eight[...]]]>

PHOTO: Ten of the most expensive cars available in Latvia in 2014Tue, 31 Mar 2015 15:24:57 +0300Latvia and Baltic stateshttp://unity.lv/en/news/1310258/
http://unity.lv/en/news/1310258/

Nearly two million euro – such is the price of the latest models of the most expensive cars registered in Latvia in 2014. According to information from Latauto.lv, only a couple of truly luxurious cars had been registered in Latvia last year. It is unlikely that the majority of these cars will remain in Latvia for long – they will be exported to Western Europe.

10. Audi R8 – EUR 117,000

This car made its début in Paris in 2006. «It is no secret that Audi is tied to Lamborghini with very close production ties. This is why he R8 can be[...]]]>

Lithuania: Russia is trying to make us vulnerable and reliantTue, 31 Mar 2015 14:18:35 +0300Latvia and Baltic stateshttp://unity.lv/en/news/1310202/
http://unity.lv/en/news/1310202/

Russia’s efforts to influence its neighbouring states, including Lithuania, have increased since 2014. In order to accomplish this goal, Russia employs all kinds of political, military, diplomatic, economic and other measures, said Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite’s chief advisor for matters of national security Valdemars Sarapins.

In an interview to Žiniu radijas radio station, Sarapins noted that Russia’s efforts to influence its neighbours have increased ever since the worsening of relations with western states.

Latvian Financial Development Institution Altum had allocated a total of EUR 48.1 million as state financial support to Latvian entrepreneurs in 2014. This allowed Altum to provide support to more than 1,200 business development projects.

Last year, Attīstības finanšu institūcija’s Altum allocated loans within six state business support programmes meant for start-ups, small and medium entrepreneurs and farmers. Altum concluded 2014 with EUR 1.7 million in profits.

«Demand for loans and state business support programmes remains high. For example, a total[...]]]>

Because of stormy wind in Latvia, State Fire and Rescue Service had received numerous calls for assistance yesterday. In Seven cases rescuers were called in to cut up and remove tree branches and entire trees to remove road blockages. In one case, a tree needed to be removed from the roof of a kiosk in Riga.

Rescue efforts continue today as well. According to recent reports, rescuers were dispatched to Koknese, where a tree had apparently fallen on top of[...]]]>

US oil production growth at record 100-yr high in 2014 - EIATue, 31 Mar 2015 12:13:50 +0300Businesshttp://unity.lv/en/news/1310111/
http://unity.lv/en/news/1310111/

This January and February a surplus of EUR 10.2 million formed in Latvia’s consolidated budget, which is mostly made up of the surplus of EUR 36.2 million in municipal budgets and deficit in the state budget equal to EUR 26 million.

Compared with the first two months of 2014, the financial surplus of this year’s January and February has declined by EUR 59.6 million. This is likely because of lower revenue from foreign financial assistance and larger state budget expenses,[...]]]>

Leader of Latvian Regional Alliance Martins Bondars remains the only officially proposed presidential candidate at the moment. He believes he has good chances of being elected, as reported by lsm.lv.

In his interview to Rīta Panorāma programme of LTV, Bondars was asked about his chances of taking the office. He replied by saying that he is currently the only officially proposed candidate. When asked if there is any point for the opposition to propose its candidates, Bondars said the Saeima[...]]]>

Chief of Latvia’s Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau Yaroslav Strelchenok is certain the former deputy chief Juta Strīķe only comes to work for show and does not carry out her duty. This is why he says he is collecting evidence of this in order to turn to the court and request her dismissal, as reported by lsm.lv.

In his interview to Rīta Panorāma programme of LTV, Strelchenok mentioned there are no conflicts in the bureau. There are, however, «two or[...]]]>

Constitution Protection Bureau has decided to provide Latvian Healthcare Minister Guntis Belevics from the Union of Greens and Farmers with access to official secrets, as confirmed by Prime Minister’s press secretary Aiva Rozenberga.

This fact was confirmed by this Tuesday’s invitation by Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma’s to all ministers without exception to gather in the Small Hall in order to discuss a matter that has limited access.

«Now all ministers should gather in the closed hall. All ministers,» – said Straujuma[...]]]>

Roman’s Army Men inspire memories of the past. Western finals, Game 3Mon, 30 Mar 2015 22:20:06 +0300Sporthttp://unity.lv/en/news/1309700/
http://unity.lv/en/news/1309700/

(2) SKA 1
(1) CSKA 3
CSKA leads the series 3-0

Fans with long memories might recall how Russian hockey often followed the same script. CSKA would bowl through each season in almost untouchable form, and every time it seemed that a serious challenge was emerging the Army Men would find an extra gear to stay ahead of the competition. It brought unprecedented success to the Moscow team – and there are signs that the same narrative might be unfolding this season.[...]]]>

Saeima deputies Gundars Daudze from the Union of Greens and Farmers, Sergei Mirski from Harmony, Solvita Aboltina from Unity and head of the Saeima Inter-Parliamentary Relations Office Sandra Paura have been on an official visit to Vietnam’s capital city of Hanoi since last Thursday.

It should be added that this trip has cost EUR 10,000 already.

Hanoi currently holds the 132nd assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Latvia’s delegation is present as well. Only following an enquiry from Latvian Radio did the[...]]]>

This week, active cyclones will bring about cloudy and precipitation-rich weather to Latvia. On Monday, March 30th, most of Latvia’s territory will experience snowfall, including wet snow. Wind speed is also expected to rise.

Wind direction will draw in from the west and south-west. Wind speed is expected to reach 17-22 m/sec. Some rain and snow are expected as well.

Air temperature at night will range within +1° C…+4° C for Tuesday. Daytime air temperature is not expected to rise above[...]]]>

-Meeting of the Saeima committee for the investigation of the sale of 75% of shares of Citadele Bank. During the meeting, officials will consider the role the Cabinet of Ministers played during the sale process.

-Meeting of the parliamentary committee for the investigation of the Zolitude tragedy. During this meeting, officials will review the report by the Chief of State Construction Office D.Drukis regarding the organisation’s plans[...]]]>

Bordans: presidential elections may decide whether or not we will elect next SaeimaMon, 30 Mar 2015 15:31:15 +0300Latvia and Baltic stateshttp://unity.lv/en/news/1309474/
http://unity.lv/en/news/1309474/

«We should not fear Russia’s ideological diversions and the tension they bring. We should instead focus on keeping our historic memory active,» – says the Chairperson of the New Conservative Party Janis Bordans.

«Discussions and articles, both personal and in the media, should focus on Latvia’s history, patriotism and state longevity in order to cultivate understanding of how economic welfare, political freedom and rights, consequential historic memory policy are intertwined with one another and equally influential over one another,» –[...]]]>

PHOTO: SAS returns to Riga International Airport after several years of absenceMon, 30 Mar 2015 14:14:11 +0300Latvia and Baltic stateshttp://unity.lv/en/news/1309436/
http://unity.lv/en/news/1309436/

This Sunday, March 29th, Scandinavian Airlines SAS returned to Latvia’s market with offers of direct flight connectivity between Riga and Stockholm. The airline offers 18 flights per week between these two cities: three flights on weekdays and up to two flights on weekends.

The first SAS aircraft departed from Riga on its way to Stockholm on Sunday, March 29th. The first passengers were also given small gifts and a slice of a special cake, produced specifically for this occasion, as reported by SAS.

«The opening of direct flight connectivity between Riga and Stockholm marks the return of SAS to Latvia: the first[...]]]>

On March 29th, a bus carrying Estonian and Latvian tourists crashed in Turkey. An Estonian woman died in that accident.

The bus that ended up in a road accident while carrying Latvian and Estonian tourists was owned by Wow tourism agency, as reported by ERR Uudised with reference to information from Estonian Foreign Ministry.

The bus was carrying a total of 24 people, mostly Estonian tourists. 18 people were injured and one 52-year-old woman died in that accident.

Elita Dreimane has been the head of the Latvian State Chancellery since 2011. Up until recently her work was largely viewed as positive. However, some controversy has surfaced between her and Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma. The most serious conflict between them was regarding work with classified information in investment disputes with foreign companies.

Dreimane’s work and that of many other managers of institutions is regularly evaluated by a special committee. This time, however, the decision-making process has run up against[...]]]>

Magonis re-elected as head of LDz before the end of his termMon, 30 Mar 2015 09:14:03 +0300Latvia and Baltic stateshttp://unity.lv/en/news/1309194/
http://unity.lv/en/news/1309194/

Ugis Magonis has been re-elected in the post of Chairperson of Latvijas Dzelzceļš for another term. On top of that, this decision came three months before the end of his current term.

De Facto programme of LTV reports that some members of Unity have noted that a more careful evaluation should have been carried out prior to Magonis’ re-election. The management of the party disagreed, however.

Monitoring of the country’s transport industry is entrusted to Unity and member, Transport Minister Anrijs[...]]]>

For the second game running Anders Nilsson proved to be a formidable obstacle for Sibir as Ak Bars took a firm grip on the Eastern Conference final series with a 2-1 victory.

Nilsson, who came into the game on a run of just one goal conceded in five outings, extended his unbeaten run in this series to 111:24 as his team[...]]]>

BBC Sport (International version)Sun, 29 Mar 2015 20:44:46 +0300Sporthttp://unity.lv/en/news/1309791/
http://unity.lv/en/news/1309791/ For a list of all the latest deals, check out the
transfers page.

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Paris St-Germain are preparing a bid for Manchester United winger Angel Di Maria that could see the Red Devils recoup the British-record £59.7m they paid for the 27-year-old Argentine last summer.
(Daily Mirror)

[...]]]>Thousands march in 12 Australian cities to demand end to country’s ‘cruel asylum-seeker policies’Sun, 29 Mar 2015 19:25:10 +0300Worldhttp://unity.lv/en/news/1308861/
http://unity.lv/en/news/1308861/

In the closing seconds of the opening game in the Eastern Conference final, played in Kazan on Friday evening, Ak Bars defenseman Stepan Zakharchuk received a major plus game misconduct penalty (5+20 minutes) for checking to the head and neck area, after appearing to strike Sibir forward Oleg Gubin from behind. The KHL Disciplinary Committee has reviewed the episode and supports the referee’s decision.

As Zakharchuk has a history of earning penalties for fouls involving blows to the head of opponents, the Committee has imposed an additional punishment of a one-game[...]]]>
​4 gas thieves killed, over 30 injured in Mexico as crashed tanker explodesSun, 29 Mar 2015 11:44:16 +0300Worldhttp://unity.lv/en/news/1308737/
http://unity.lv/en/news/1308737/

Latvia is starting to harvest the fruits of its image labour during the presidency over the EU Council. High-rank guests now often come to Riga. Their visits and statements are reported by local and foreign media outlets. Although it is too soon to speak of direct material benefits from it, the interest toward Latvia is expected to be very high this year, which could potentially attract tourists from other countries. In the time when the flow of tourists from Russia[...]]]>

The Lithuanian Parliament (Seimas) has ratified the agreement of the Governments of Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine on establishing a joint military unit. 73 Lithuanian parliamentarians, attending a plenary session, voted for agreement unanimously.

Lithuanian Minister of Land Defence Juozas Olekas said the brigade is being formed for purposes of training, sharing experience, holding joint exercises and, if there is a unanimous agreement, participation in missions under the United Nation Security Council mandate. The headquarters would be located in Lublin (Poland) and[...]]]>